Bird Of Paradise
Svarga Dvijasana
BIRD OF PARADISE
In Bird of Paradise we’re balancing while binding and this can be quite an undertaking. This means that the preparation for this posture requires shoulder mobility, hip mobility and a tremendous amount of strength. What we also need to be cognizant of is how we are slowly building it from the ground up. It’s more than just going slowly, it’s very much about the techniques we implement from the feet all the way up into the hips and shoulders for safe execution.
Another integral part of our yoga practice is the embodiment of vairagya. As much as we place effort and consistency into the techniques as we move towards Bird of Paradise, we must still remain laser focused on the detachment of the results. It’s the process and journey of learning that teaches us the most. Let’s explore the technique process Matt teaches to nurture our practice as a whole.
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BOUND SIDE ANGLE VARIATIONS
The “Traditional” Variation
One of the most alluring things about this set up is that it’s the internal rotation that actually initiates the access to the bind. With the torso low to the ground, internally rotating the shoulder is what actually allows the lower arm to have more freedom to move. This movement helps us to find the bind or the clasp. From there, we can scoop the tailbone under while moving slowly into a backbend and then gradually implementing the external rotation in the shoulders that is required to open the chest.
Bound Side Angle At The Wall
Even though this variation is on one leg, we still minimize the balance element. Utilizing the articulations from the previous variation we are more mindful of the forward force from the hip of the standing leg. It’s common to thrust it forward, but we actually need to pull it back.
WATCH THE VIDEO
BIRD OF PARADISE: BEND, BIND & BALANCE
GET A LITTLE CLOSER
Now we start to consider how to prepare for more balance in Bird of Paradise. In the video, Matt begins in the Bound Angle at the wall variation. This time we get closer to the wall, while also pulling away from it. It’s the bottom foot that we gradually take closer to the wall. This creates more stability for us to balance on that leg. Next, we can lean away from the wall and begin to point the toes of the foot on the top leg, which also shifts our stance to become more upright. This may also reveal any potential pressure or “punching forward” of the shoulders, in particular the shoulder that is in front of the top leg.
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GET UP FROM A CHAIR
If we are feeling the urge to “force” into the shape, this is where we can back off and also explore other options for entry.
Bending at the hips while placing the top leg on a chair can help us to work on the connection of the shoulder and the inner knee. It’s imperative to bring them close together. Doing this requires a generous amount of hip opening. Picking the leg up from the height of the chair may provide increased accessibility.
For better balance, bending the knee of the standing leg can increase stability.
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KEEP IT TIGHT
Negotiating the dance between the balance and bind is when we can decide where to place our focus and attention. Do we need to work on hip mobility more than shoulder mobility? Is it the other way around? Maybe it’s both? Any given practice can reveal what we actually need, so it’s important to stay in tune with what our bodies are telling us.
No matter what, deep hip flexion is required so that we keep it tight between the top leg and the shoulder that’s on the same side.
In the video, we see that the shoulder will get pulled down into more internal rotation when we need the opposite action if we sacrifice the tight closure just to be able to extend the top leg.
If we slowly work on where to bend, we can then bind, and ultimately balance one step at a time.
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Article by Trish Curling
Video Extracted From: Shoulder Mobility Immersion
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